Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Colhint on July 27, 2020, 11:26:32 PM
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I couldn't watch the game. I was thinking about it all week. The cricket was on so I watched that, kept flicking to the scores, well it felt like every second. I decided to only check them after every over, but failed every time. After the game I checked every bit of news and social media I could. In the tough times I spent most of my time in off topic, don't think I've been there since.
I'm a mature adult, but I don't think I could ever criticise a thirteen year old Justin Bieber fan again, I felt the same they must feel.
Man was it heart wrenching painful agony and joy in under 2 hours.
And yet, I think I felt like a guy who had been rejected for every job interview he had ever applied for and then get a letter saying we'd like to meet you next week.
Saying all of that I wouldn't swap it for a cofortamably numb mid placed position in whichever league season after season. The aim being only to survive.
Man it feels good.
Thanks Villa,
Sorry I have had a post match beer.
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I know what you mean. Villa cowardice reared its ugly head in the shape of a middle aged man lying in the dark in the wee small hours staring at a wiring fan shitting himself about a set of football matches 12,000 miles away that he was too afraid to watch - even though they were all available on his phone sat literally inches away.
I finally checked the scores with approximately 10 minutes remaining- and bricked it some more.
As far as the Villa are concerned, I dont think i'm ever going to grow out of this now.
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I didn't watch it.
Went upstairs, turned off my phone, and lay on my bed for two hours, then turned my phone on to see what had happened.
I absolutely have no problem watching us when i am at the match, I am supremely calm, but I can not watch us on television, I find it horrible, and in situations like this it's too much.
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I admire the strength of character not to watch or to keep up to date with how it was all going. I don't have BT so couldn't watch and kept flicking from channel to channel on Sky Sports to see the Arsenal and Everton scores and then back to the Jeff Stelling show. My mate was watching the game and texting me updates, every time one came in, I was more nervous than the last. Heart in my mouth for the whole two hours and I don't want to go through that again. Dean and his equalibrium. Meh!! Never again please Villa.
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I didn’t either. I live in Sutton and decided to turn phone off and cycle to VP. The suspension got the better of me and turned phone back on just as we went 1-0 up and then had a hellish 10 mins staring at Live Score praying West Ham didn’t score a second. Like the above poster I simply cannot stand watching it on tv
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I watched but it wasn’t easy. Beats 2015/6 when there was no hope
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I know what you mean. Villa cowardice reared its ugly head in the shape of a middle aged man lying in the dark in the wee small hours staring at a wiring fan shitting himself about a set of football matches 12,000 miles away that he was too afraid to watch - even though they were all available on his phone sat literally inches away.
I finally checked the scores with approximately 10 minutes remaining- and bricked it some more.
As far as the Villa are concerned, I dont think i'm ever going to grow out of this now.
Ha! You big chickun! I watched it. Was very calmly confident until the deflected equaliser, then it was nail biting time. I actually thought we’d go a goal down and have to claw it back to 2-1, thought we’d need all 3 points.
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Exactly the same as last year.
I was a sick with nerves and heart pounding for the Arsenal game as I was at the play off semi final game at The Hawthorns.
......& then just like the play off final last year, a weird calmness descended for the West Ham game. Of course I wasn’t completely certain, but both times it really did just feel like it was ours, like I couldn’t call to mind any visualisation of it not going our way.
Just like when Derby pulled one back last year, I had a mild wobble when West Ham equalised, but nothing like the nerves of Albion or Arsenal.
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My eldest came round to watch it and had to keep leaving the room as he was struggling, he’s on a health kick so isn’t drinking at the moment which probably didn’t help. I had no such hindrance and I think the fact that Watford went three down steadied my nerves so it wasn’t until after the West Ham equaliser that my nerves kicked in and I had to put that game on my iPod so I could keep an eye on both.
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Just like when Derby pulled one back last year, I had a mild wobble when West Ham equalised
The last few minutes at Wembley were excrutiating. I couldn't watch - first time I've ever had it this bad when actually at a game - and went down into the concourse, expecting to be the only person there, was amazed how many others were there, pacing up and down, fingers in ears.
Next season it'd be nice to have a comfortable, low key finish to the season, rather than continue this run of three consecutive seasons where we've been playing for massive stakes until the final kick of the season!
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Don't have BT so couldn't watch. Decided to stop watching non-Villa Premier League games a few weeks earlier and so had to stick with that as Watford had been on a bad run so didn't want to unjinx them by watching Sky.
Normally I only allow myself to check the score after 16, 32 and 48 minutes of each half (don't ask why, I just do). But I was unable to stop checking here, Fotmob and Bet365 every thirty seconds or so.
My nerves weren't helped by constant vague WhatsApp messages such as "omg" and "fuck" when you've no idea which game they're watching...
At least I had the pleasant distraction of racing to be first to commemorate the passing of Ms De Havilland. I decided that if I was first on H&V to post the news, Villa would stay up.
Jumped around like a lunatic when I received confirmation that not only had Grealish scored, but it wasn't subject to VAR. Then back to agonising and pacing up and down about a minute later. Didn't allow myself to celebrate when Villa was full time, just in case something insane happened at Arsenal.
Full time at Arsenal, more jumping around like a lunatic.
Got ready to go out on the piss, but for some reason the Bluenose acquaintance I had agreed to meet had gone off the idea...
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I watched it with my lad, as always - he's got it as bad as I have! I say I watched it, but we actually watched the 'diretta gol' which switches between all of the matches continuously. The Leicester - Man Utd game was on live here.
I didn't sleep properly for a week leading up to the game and spent the days beforehand trying not to think about it too much. The day itself was difficult, especially the hour or two before kick-off.
The match itself seemed to last for ever. I tried to break it up into pieces: first 10 minutes gone and we are still up; first third gone and we are still up; halfway through and we are still up; two-thirds gone, etc. The last ten and extra time seemed to last forever.
Bournemouth going into the lead was obviously the big worry, but I was never in a panic. Reflecting on it now, there was never a moment in the whole game when we weren't safe. Watford imploding obviously helped there, but our destiny was always in our own hands.
That said, I'm sure our street wondered what the hell was going on with the screaming and shouting when Jack scored. It just feels such an important moment. I really like this team and the manager, their attitude. Had we lost we'd have been back to square one. I was in bits at full-time. Jeez, what a club, what a sport, what emotion! I feel so lucky to have shared the past two seasons with my lad. Memories no-one will ever take away.
UTV!
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Just like when Derby pulled one back last year, I had a mild wobble when West Ham equalised
The last few minutes at Wembley were excrutiating. I couldn't watch - first time I've ever had it this bad when actually at a game - and went down into the concourse, expecting to be the only person there, was amazed how many others were there, pacing up and down, fingers in ears.
Next season it'd be nice to have a comfortable, low key finish to the season, rather than continue this run of three consecutive seasons where we've been playing for massive stakes until the final kick of the season!
The last ten minutes at Wembley were unbearable, far worse than the West Ham game, as obviously Derby had a bit more motivation to win the game.
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Apart from the Antonio miss, I felt very calm for most of the game.
The direct free-kicks on the edge of the box were a bit disconcerting, though...
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Our internet's on the blink so I had to sit in the corridor with the laptop plugged in directly to avoid problems. I must have looked like a maniac, sitting on the ground next to the bathroom, rocking back and forth, giving off occasional yelps.
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Apart from the Antonio miss, I felt very calm for most of the game.
The direct free-kicks on the edge of the box were a bit disconcerting, though...
Thankfully Rice was doing his best Tonev impresson all game and blasted them all into row Z!
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I couldn't watch it, and left the kids to watch it (in separate rooms).
I went for a 2 hour walk around South London, making sure my mobile data was off as my watch kept getting twitter notifications, sofascore updates and various other rubbish. I tuned the data on every 10 mins or so, and then turned it off and carried on walking. With about 10 mins to go I had made it back to the park by the house. I then couldn't get any phone coverage. I rebooted the phone but nothing would work. I then walked back to the house whereby the wifi kicked in.
The first update I got was a tweet saying that "Jack looks gutted". I felt sick, and then saw that it was because they had scored straight after us. I decided to sit on the front step until I heard the youngest scream in celebration.
Rang the doorbell, jumped around a bit and then we realised Watford were still playing.
I have given myself a stern talking to since Sunday that I will not get myself into such a state again.
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I didn't watch it.
Went upstairs, turned off my phone, and lay on my bed for two hours, then turned my phone on to see what had happened.
I absolutely have no problem watching us when i am at the match, I am supremely calm, but I can not watch us on television, I find it horrible, and in situations like this it's too much.
This is me with every game I can't physically see in the flesh right up to the Arsenal game. I think had I watched the Everton game I wouldn't have watched any more TV games ever that Villa feature in. I managed the Shef Utd game out of curiosity but didn't enjoy it till it was over. No way was I putting myself through that again. So, for the remainder of the season the dog would get a 2 hour walk with phone muted while I wished each of our games to be finished. After the Everton game I met up with friends in the pub who suffered it. They were all very down, saying "we were down", "f***** it up", "chance to save ourselves squandered" "El Ghazi..this and that". I was strangely a bit more upbeat as we were still in with a chance, (a draw at Everton, even a poor Everton is a good point). We had a chance, a slim one, but a chance nevertheless. I spoke of beating Arsenal, and was derided for such nonsense even though my optimism was appreciated. To cement my showing of optimism I had to attend the next TV game in the pub with them. One of the best TV game experiences I can remember. Not the game itself but the relief at the final whistle and resulting celebrations. I was strangely more relaxed for the West Ham game. We were at the point where 3 weeks earlier you could have only dreamed of being at. Don't get me wrong, I was nervous throughout but the way we played gave me hope and once you cut out stupid mistakes, defend well and have something about you going forward it does help the nerves. For once the hope didn't kill. Am I now over my Villa on TV anxiety? I doubt it.
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Went for a long solo bike ride, stopped around 5:50 to check BBC scores, the Everton game still going all others that mattered were FT, frantic page refreshing ensued, results confirmed and 4 hours into a ride I had a renewed sense of energy for the final 10km or so.
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I did watch from about 25 minutes in as my 3 sons were all at home watching it and they called me out for being coward!
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Apart from the Antonio miss, I felt very calm for most of the game.
The direct free-kicks on the edge of the box were a bit disconcerting, though...
Thankfully Rice was doing his best Tonev impresson all game and blasted them all into row Z!
I do like Declan Rice. I saw him twice in a month live in September when I went to Villa v West Ham and England v Bulgaria and he was very good in both games. He was very complimentary of Villa fans after the game in September too on Twitter. Finally, when we really needed him, he put every shot in the Westfield shopping centre on Sunday.
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I didn't watch it.
Went upstairs, turned off my phone, and lay on my bed for two hours, then turned my phone on to see what had happened.
I absolutely have no problem watching us when i am at the match, I am supremely calm, but I can not watch us on television, I find it horrible, and in situations like this it's too much.
Same as you. Atthe match fine but watching Villa on TV is horrible especially last Sunday!
I was out of coverage having a sunday lunch but drove back in to coverage with 10mins to go, missus asked if I wanted to know what was happening...NO!!! At 6pm looked at the Beeb a nervous wreck...then my rectum prolapsed.
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I watched it for 82 minutes and knowing that Bournemouth were winning just got a severe attack of the Villa Fear and had to turn the TV off...
Checking her phone 30 seconds later my partner said 'Villa have scored'.
'What do you mean we' ve scored?' cue a mad scramble for the remote.
Turns TV on' West Ham 1 Aston Villa 1'.
'How can it be 1-1? It was 0-0 three minutes ago? You said Villa were winning 1-0'.
'Villa were winning 1-0'
'oh, I can' t deal with this' Turns TV off again...
Back on 5 minutes later and the boys are in a huddle waiting for confirmation of the Arsenal result.
'Well they don' t look devastated.... '
I'm way too old for this.
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I watched it all, apart from the West Ham free-kick just outside the box when McGinn stuxk out his leg behind him. I was not a happy bunny.
I turned the volume down and looked away. Left it for a minute before I could bear to watch.
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I didn’t watch, hate watching it on TV and I think my poor wife hates me watching it on TV as well. Watched some other recordings and had a plan to look at the score at ten past six. About six wifey asked me if I wanted to know the score, I asked if the three matches were completed and she replied “no but it doesn’t matter” aghast I gambled and looked ....as they say the rest is history. Amazingly she had followed the whole match online, without, as they say, “giving the game away”
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I was determined not to watch it and went to bed, didn't get to sleep thinking about it so got up ten minutes before the kick off. I kept switching between Villa and Bournemouth games as Watford were three down early. As another poster I changed channels with ten to go then changed back with six left to see we were one up and within seconds they scored. i didn't watch any of the game then until 30 seconds of injury time. At my age this is crazy stuff but that's a life time of the Villa for ya.
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I signed up for BTsport and streamed it to the TV - it was terrifying. Once Bournemouth got the 3rd I was all over the place, we did close the game out well though and I thought West Ham weren't really that bothered about winning.
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I couldn't watch it until it was over.
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My one son went on a long run. The other one went on an even longer bike ride. I cannot bear to watch them on TV. In the flesh I am nervous but sane. For the Arsenal game I drove to the middle of Newmarket Heath and sat in my car for the whole game plus half an hour in case of massive stoppage time. Then I turned on my phone to find out the score. That worked so I did the same for the Wet Spam game. I never want to go through that week ever again. Both my sons since the game, independently have sent me texts saying they had dreamed that we did not get relegated. I had an identical dream. I expect I shall wake up in a minute
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Watched it with the kids. High pressure matches are exciting. Its much easier at a game for sure - being surrounded by 40k Villa makes me feel warm inside but I love to live these games. Intense but we prevailed. Don't get me wrong I'd much rather have avoided the situation but personally I couldn't not watch.
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Watched with others down hear. All 3 matches on at the same time. That difference in emotion from Jack scoring, to the equaliser summed up being a Vila fan. At that point I was sure the football gods were going to kick us badly. However looking back, Villa played out the remaining minutes and injury time with amazing calm and maturity. Glad its all over. Need a rest after all that torture.
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I’ve watched every one since the restart and they’ve become more and more nerve wracking to watch.
There was a little point of despair (Man U home) where I was calmer as I assumed we were done for.
Then Palace, Everton, Arsenal, and finally West Ham saw the heart rate go through the roof. I’ve shouted at the TV, paced the room and probably worried the neighbours on a couple of occasions.
Finally today, there was an email from Lee Preece saying the flags are being collected up in readiness for being sent back or collected. A few of them have been shat on by the birds apparently!
It’s been a strange old time.
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I’ve no idea how you can NOT watch if you have the opportunity. Not watching would be worse for me. My stream was over a minute behind and I heard a random neighbour cheer after Jack’s goal but wasn’t sure if it was a Blose fan and we had conceded. Switched off stream in the last 5 mins to ensure I was getting up to Date coverage from Radio 5 instead. Not being able to see us was awful
Overall I was fairly calm, Arsenal and holding on and failing against Everton was far worse
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Last year when Harry Wilson was adjudged to have handled the ball as the clock ticked over to 7 minutes I could have kissed the linesman as I was sure they were going to equalise.
This year I don't have BT Sport so made the decision not to watch easier. So I had Jeff Stelling on. Now, I don't know if anyone noticed but we were spared the agonising one second wait of Jeff doing the dramatic 'GOAL AT THE LONDON STADIUM' as they were actually on a break. So I saw the score come up on the vidiprinter during the break and just did a gentle clenched fist and relaxed. Whilst the break was still going on I noticed PWS update on here that it was 1-1 and that took ages to appear on the Sky screen so I thought for once he was winding us all up. I could have cried when I saw it come up. Then basically I just cowered behind the settee for eight minutes.
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I thought it was ace, and I don't get how you follow 37 games and then ditch the most important one. I haven't been stressed or worried at all this season, I did let out a quiet "yes" and do a mini fist pump a couple of mins after it was confirmed we were staying up mind.
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Villa really put us through the ringer don't they!! A difficult watch to sit through. I was knackered by 6.00pm on Sunday! So tense knowing the difference between success and failure. A financial disaster to drop a division, best players cherry-picked by circling vultures from the PL. West Brom above us....! Thankfully, it all turned out perfectly!
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I didn't realise it was the only game not live on SKY (it was on BT and I don't have that). I had decided not to watch it but once it came to kick off time I wanted to watch it only to find I couldn't. Having said that I could have jumped in the car and gone round to my parents house. I ended up watching Arsenal v Watford and when that seemed to be game over I watched Everton v Bournemouth. I ended up living out the last ten minutes or so of the game on the SKY soccer special updates programme.
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Just couldn't face it, too nervous so took one of my grandson's fishing. I've said it before, I can take almost anything: a hammering, playing like shit, bad decisions etc as long as I'm there but watching it on telly isn't the same and I'm getting too old. The wife rang me at about 6:15 moaning that dinner was ready and where were we? I got us home about a quarter of an hour later to gloomy faces, I checked the scores but my brain wasn't behaving itself so I had to check the tables, cue much merriment in the house, they'd set me up to make me think we'd been relegated, it worked.
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I always want to watch us in the stadium but since the away Play off semi final At the Albion, which I missed on tv, I have developed a superstition about us doing better if I don’t watch. I get crazily nervous though, far more than I should do after all these years.
I don’t have sky, BT or any other sports channels so don’t have much choice since lockdown. I was decorating last Tuesday night when we beat Arsenal so kept back more decorating for Sunday, and it worked a treat. I deliberately turned 5Live off before kick off but was inundated with messages during the game, so kept wiping the paint away to check my phone.
Wore the same t shirt for Palace and Arsenal so kept that routine too. I definitely needed a few drinks on Sunday night though, but it was worth every minute.
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The game was on a 3am over here, so I just got up at 5:15am to see the headline that Watford & Bournemouth had been relegated before I even knew the score. Not watching it didn't help though, I spent the whole weekend worrying about it and kept waking up during the night. Wouldn't it be great to have a dull mid table finish for once.
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Nope, totally chickened out. Watched cricket and avoided my phone. Eventually logged into H&V to see if we were celebrating or otherwise.
I missed all the drama and I’m glad.
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Watched it all. Got a bit nervous near the end, but we didn't even allow them anywhere near our goal after the fluke equaliser(though we're still spawny, of course!)
Much prefer this to listening to the Arse game on the radio -a new form of Hell on Earth!!